The scintillating victory marks the third time in five years UMES has come home with the coveted national championship trophy, firmly establishing the university as one the most consistent performers on the women's collegiate bowling scene.

This year's win was particularly gratifying for the team and the university. Halfway through the season, long-time coach Sharon Brummell resigned to take an administrator's job at Georgetown University in Washington.

Into the breach stepped Kristina Frahm, a two-time national champion and 2011 graduate, to serve as interim coach. The victory over Fairleigh Dickinson in the finals makes Frahm the first person in NCAA history to win a national title as a bowler and as a head coach.

The 2011-12 Lady Hawks had a successful regular season but were not considered strong title contenders when the tournament field was announced. In addition to Frahm, the 2011 championship team featured seasoned veterans Martha Perez and Maria Rodriquez, who also graduated a year ago.

Nevertheless, UMES had a solid corps of experienced bowlers returning - senior Paula Vilas, Falbo and fellow junior Anggie Ramirez, and sophomore Megan Buja. Those unflappable four plus freshman Mariana Alvarado formed the quintet that brought home the 2012 hardware.

"I was the only lefty today," Ramirez said after Saturday's final. "So I was getting some good shots but didn't have anyone else to talk to or watch about how the lane was reacting, so it times it was trial and error."

After a preliminary round on Thursday to establish seeding for double-elimination match play on Friday the 13th, the Lady Hawks defeated three opponents to earn a spot in the finals. Triskaidekaphobia clearly was not a factor.

The Lady Hawks had to wait for one more elimination match Saturday between the squad from Fairleigh Dickinson, a private institution with 12,000 students, and the school UMES defeated for the title a year ago, Vanderbilt University.

The team from Teaneck, N.J. just outside New York City prevailed in that midday contest, setting up a championship match broadcast live on the cable sports channel, ESPNU.

College bowling employs the ultimate team approach to crown its champion in a best-of-seven match. Each school uses five bowlers in a single game, so each particip